Kawasaki Z250 revealed

THIS is Kawasaki’s new Z250, revealed only minutes ago on Kawasaki Japan’s website.

We’ve been expecting a naked version of the new Ninja 300 (which is sold as a 250 in several markets to suit local licence regulations) and those expectations appear well founded.

There isn’t really much to say about the new bike – it really is simply a latest-generation Japanese-spec Ninja 250 with the fairing stripped off and replaced with Z1000-style lights and side panels. The bars are a little higher and wider, but the chassis, engine and all the rear bodywork are identical to the faired version.

In 300cc form, as likely to be offered here, that means 38.5bhp at 11,000rpm from the 296cc parallel twin. With less plastic, it should be a fraction lighter than the 172kg (wet) Ninja 300.

In Japan it costs £3400, but over there the equivalent Ninja is only £3900. Apply the same £500 saving to UK prices and you can expect the naked machine to come in at around £4200 compared to £4799 for the non-ABS version of the Ninja 300. As on the Ninja, expect ABS to be a £400 option.